Gussie P/ Sip A CupText by Harry Hawks
A successful London based producer and engineer whose music mixes and matches the greatest of the old with the best of the new. Gussie's studio and his Sip A Cup and Gussie P labels have been one of the cornerstones of the UK reggae music scene over the last two decades
Gussie P/ Sip A Cup
| Founded | 1997 |
| Place of Establishment | London UK |
| Main Studio(s) | Fashion Records |
| Founder | Gussie Prento |
| Producer(s) | |
| Related Artist(s) | |
| Related Label(s) |
Born and raised in South East London young Gussie was fascinated and fixated with reggae music from an early age and, from the early seventies onwards, he could be found buying brand new pre-release records in the specialist shops in Brixton, Lewisham and Clapham Junction and scouring local junk shops for top class oldies. It was the era when roots music was working its way to the fore and Gussie was an avid follower of local sound system legend Jah Shaka and the music of Augustus Pablo.
After working in local factories Gussie studied City & Guilds Radio and TV servicing and then worked for British Relay fixing television sets. He began making his own dub plates on a two track reel to reel tape onto cassette recorder with a boyhood friend. In 1982 Fashion Records opened their four track A-Class studio in the basement of the Dub Vendor shop in Clapham Junction and Gussie began operating their dub cutting lathe. He loved being at the controls and realised he would have to "buck up his ideas" now he was working with home grown artists of the calibre of Maxi Priest and Smiley Culture and visiting Jamaican stars such as Augustus Pablo and Junior Delgado. Before long he had graduated to the mixing desk and was soon seated in the producer's chair.
Originally known as Prento (the apprentice) Gussie soon attained his qualifications and became Gussie P and the first production on his own Sip A Cup label featured One Blood's Paul Robinson in his Barry Boom persona on 'Bam Bam'. This update of The Maytals' Festival Winner from 1966 in a brand new 1984 style proved to be a very early demonstration of his innate musical understanding mixing the greatest of the old with the very best of the new. He continued by establishing his own Digikal label, pressed and distributed by Fashion/Dub Vendor, which showcased some superb sides from Mikey General and Andrew Paul. Their 'Sound Bwoy Burial' album caused a certain amount of controversy in 1986 with its tough music and its striking, original cover and its accompanying dub set 'Burial Dub' was another big seller. In 1988 Fashion opened their sixteen track A-Class Studio in new spacious premises in Forest Hill where Gussie continued to hone his engineering skills. He also co-produced a number of Fashion releases and was the man at the controls for many of the label's major hits including Cutty Ranks' massive 'The Stopper' in 1991. To add further dimensions to his knowledge of reggae music he began experiencing some of the fabled yard vibes while working with artists such as Nereus Joseph in Donovan Germain's Penthouse studios on Slipe Road in Kingston.
In 1997 Gussie set up on his own, opened his own studio, and his Gussie P and Sip A Cup labels were soon to be found at the forefront of the UK roots revival. However, Gussie was never going to confine himself to one style of music. The records he made, and continues to make, go right across the board from dance hall to lovers to roots and his productions, always forward looking, come imbued with a deep understanding and knowledge and love of Jamaican music and its fascinating history. The Heywood brothers, Mafia & Fluxy, lay a rock solid bass and drum foundation for Jamaican legends including Fred Locks, Winston McAnuff, Michael Prophet and Judah Eskender Tafari alongside home grown superstars such as Mike Anthony, Phillip Leo, Nerous Joseph, Danny Red and Top Cat. His labels, with their constant stream of releases, are living proof that there is hope for the future of reggae music.
Date Added: Mar 31, 2012 / Date Updated: Nov 08, 2012
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